Mattress sales traps – 6 tactics to look out for

A good night’s sleep is extremely important for overall well-being and health. However, there’s a lot more to getting proper sleep than going to bed on time. Hence, it’s suggested to always opt for a comfortable mattress. That said, it is not very easy to ensure you’re picking up the right mattress since there are lots of things that can confuse you. Read on to know more about the sales traps used to sell mattresses.

Buying the right mattress – Sales traps to avoid
Most people buy mattresses as an investment for at least a decade. This means while buying the mattress, these customers ensure that the product serves its purpose for at least the warranty period mentioned. However, retail sellers usually focus more on selling their mattresses than on the welfare of their customers. Thus, they come up with a few traps to force or cajole their customers into buying the goods. Here are some of the traps and tips on how to avoid them.

Claims about the premium quality of the mattresses
Most mattress retailers, both online and offline, often use the word “premium” to describe their goods. Moreover, they may also use the word to detail the quality of the mattress’s materials. This may include coils, cover materials, and even foam. Furthermore, some other vague words used to describe the mattresses are “high performance,” “natural,” and “advanced.” These words are often employed as traps to lure in customers. Hence, experts suggest that the customer always ask for specific information regarding the mattress; this can include the number of layers, the number and gauge of the coils, and even the density of the foams. As different people have different needs, retailers must provide the customer with the information needed to help them choose the best mattress.

Pillow top softness that does not last
Usually, when one goes to the store to select mattresses, they may find the pillow top mattresses incredibly soft and comfortable. This happens because the mattresses have soft and thick layers of fiber above the springs. However, these soft layers are prone to developing deep indentations, which can affect the sleeping posture. Hence it’s suggested to opt for “plush top” mattresses instead. These mattresses have two or three layers of blended foam and fiber. Furthermore, they are less prone to indentions and are quite cost-effective compared to pillow tops.

A promise of exclusive products
In most cases, departmental stores and mattress chains offer their customers exclusive mattresses from a certain brand. Moreover, the sellers may also add that the products are available only with them. However, these exclusive mattresses are often a clone of the brand’s product, and the original ones can be found elsewhere for a far lesser price. This may often make shopping for mattresses quite difficult. Hence it’s advised to always conduct a thorough study of the brand, its products, offerings, and also its basic components. This may help one spot similar models in different stores, which can then be bought according to the analyzed needs, wants, and budget.

Product warranties and guarantees
At times, when one walks into a mattress store and voices their concerns about a certain mattress, the seller may provide information about the satisfaction guarantee offered by the store. During these times, the customers can quiz the seller about the guarantee details, such as the availability of a cashback or exchange, the presence of a restocking fee, and the amount charged for pickup/shipping of the products. This not only ensures the customer makes an informed decision but also helps them see right through the loopholes of the product’s guarantee. In addition to the above, one should also pay attention to the warranty, as it may only cover major defects during the warranty period.

Provision of discounts after an increase in prices
Most mattress sellers often increase or decrease the prices of their products throughout the year. Sometimes they even sell the mattresses at a price higher than the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), only to slash it down after a few days. Furthermore, online retail stores market these instances as a sale across their website to lure in more customers. Hence, experts suggest researching the MSRP of the mattresses across brands and stores to decide the minimum price one is willing to pay for the products. Furthermore, customers can also try shopping for the needed mattress towards the end of the month, when salespeople are more willing to negotiate prices and fulfill their set targets.

An oversell of user reviews
One must always take online reviews, either positive or negative, with a grain of salt. However, it’s equally important to read through them carefully and weed out the products or stores with negative reviews. These reviews may help one know more about the mattress’s size, durability, overall quality, and edge support. But, the reviews do not aid prospective buyers in knowing about the mattress’s subjective qualities, such as firmness and comfort. Hence one must always be aware of user reviews and steer clear of making decisions based on the number of positive product reviews they find online.

In addition to avoiding the sales traps mentioned above, one must also lie on the mattress for at least 10-15 minutes in the store. This gives the customer an idea of the spinal support and comfort provided by the mattress.